WEBVTT rtrtrtrtrtKEEGAN: TONIGHT, WE'RE LOOKINGFOR SOLUTIONS.TO ASSIST IN THAT EFFORT LET'SrtGO LIVE TO THE NEWSEUM INWASHINGTON, D.C. AND OURCOLLEAGUE AND HOST OF "MATTER OFFACT," SOLEDAD O'BRIEN.SOLEDAD: WE'RE GLAD TO BE WITHALL OF YOU TONIGHT AND HUMBLEDBYrt THE TASK WE'VE TAKEN ON.CONSIDER THIS -- TODAY IN OURCOUNTRY, AS MANY AS 650,000OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS WEREDISPENSED.rtAND SADLY TODAY, AS MANY AS 175AMERICANS DIED FROM A DRUGOVERDOSE, WHETHER OPIOIDS, LIKEHEROIN, OR FENTANYL AND THESYNTHErtTIC DRUGS EMERGING EVERYDAY.TONIGHT WE HOPE TO HELP THENATION TURN Art CORNERREACHESACROSS 39 STATES, WITH THEPOTENTIAL TO TOUCH FAMILIES IN21 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS.OUR GOALrt IS TO HELP CREATE ANATIONAL AGENDA FOR ACTION.WE'LL BE JOINED BY MEDICALEXPERTS AND POLICY MAKERS,PEOPLE IN POSITIONS TO MAKECHANGE HAPPEN WITH YOUR HELP.rtLET'S START IN A COMMUNITYDESPERATE FOR CHANGE.JESSICA GOMEZ REPORTS FROMMCDOWELL COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA,A STATE WHERE ONE PERSON DIESEVERY 10 HOUrtRS FROM A DRUGOVERDOSE.♪♪rtJESSICA: ON A SUNDAY MORNING,THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL FINDPASTOR MARTIN WEST.>> WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE WORDOF GOD SAYS.rtJESSICA: DELIVERING A SERMON TOHIS RURAL MCDOWELL COUNTYCHURCH.DURIrtNG THE WEEK, HE'S SHERIFFMARTIN WEST.>> THE COST OF NUMBER OF PEOPLEDYING IS JUST A LOT OF PRESSURE.JESSICA: MCDOWELL COUNTY, IT WASrtONCE CALLED THE BILLION-DOLLARJESSICA: DELIVERING A SERMON TOCOALFIELD.>> THE STREETS WERE LINED WITHPEOPLE.WE HAD THREErt THEATERS HERE.WE HAD THREE HOSPITALS HERE.JESSICA: THAT WAS THEN.MOST OF THE COAL MINING JOBSLEFT, AND SO DID THE PEOPLE.>>rt A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STAYED,THEY TRIED TO MAKE IT AND THINGSKEPT GETTING WORSE AND WORSE.THE DRUG PROBLEM STARTEDESCALATING.JESSICA: THE JOBS THAT WERErtLEFT, INJURY PRONE MINING ANDMANUAL LABOR, COUPLED WITH THEEMERGENCE OF POWERFULPRESCRIPTION PAINrt MEDICATION.IT CREATED THE PERFECT STORM OFADDICTION.>> THE WORST PART OF IT ISWATCHING THEM DAILY.THEIRrt LIFE JUST DRAINED FROMTHEM.JESSICA: IVONNE CHURCH'S SON WASPRESCRIBED THE PAINKILLEROXYCONTIN AFTER NEARLY CUTTINGOFF HIS THUMB IN A CONSTRUCTIONACCIDENT.HE WAS HOOKED.ONE NOVEMBER MORNING, rtSHE FOUNDHIM ON HER DOORSTEP.SHE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING.>> WHEN I FOUND MY SON, THERErtWAS A SMILE ON HIS FACE, AND ITHURT.BECAUSE WHATEVER THIS DRUG ISTHAT PUTS A SMILE ON SOMEBODY'SFACE WHEN THEY ARE DYINGrt, WHAT AHOLD IT HAS ON A PERSON.JESSICA: STEPHEN KISSINGER, ANADDICT IN RECOVERY, KNOWS THATrtHOLD SHE'S TALKING ABOUT.>> IT BECOMES NUMBER ONE IN YOURLIFE.YOU CAN'T GET OUT OF BED.rtYOU CAN'T GET UP AND FIX A CUPOF COFFEE IF YOU AIN'T GOT ONE.IT CONSUMES YOUR WHOLE LIFE.NOTHING ELSE MATTERS.rtJESSICA: KISSINGER WAITED THREEMONTHS TO GET INTO SOUTHERNHIGHLANDS, ONE OF A COUPLEOUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS INTHE COUNTY.rtTHERE ARE FUNERAL HOMES HERE,BUT NO LONG-TERM REHABILITATIONFACILITIES.KISSINGER'S BROTHERS DIDN'T MAKEIT.HE'S NOW WORRIED ABOUT HIS KIDS.rt>> IT IS A WAY OF LIFE FOR SOMEOF THESE CHILDREN, THAT THEY SEETHAT THEIR BROTHER IS AN ADDICTrtOR THEIR MOM IS AN ADDICT.SO MANY CHILDREN ARE REMOVEDFROM THEIR HOMES AND PLACED INTOFOSTER CARE OR FOR ADOPTION.rt>> WHEN YOU SIGN IN, YOU HAVE TOHAVE IDENTIFICATION.JESSICA: AT LINDA MCKINNEY'SFOOD BANK, SHE OFTEN SEESGRANDPARENTS RAISINGGRANDCHILDREN, THEIR OWNCHILDREN ADDICTED, IN JAIL, ORDEAD.rtIN THE POOREST COUNTY IN THESTATE, NEARLY 50% OF CHILDRENDON'T LIVE WITH A BIOLOGICALPARENT.>> WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?rtWHERE ARE THESE BABIES GOING TOGO?WHO HAS THE ANSWER?JESSICA: A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS.rtSHERIFF WEST FINALLY HAD ENOUGH.>> THIS CASE SHOULD BE TRIED INMCDOWELL COUNTY.JESSICA: WrtITH HELP FROM LAWFIRMS IN CHARLESTON, SHERIFFWEST SPEARHEADED THE COUNTY'SLAWSUIT AGAINST THREE OF THELARGEST PRESCRIPTION DRUDISTRIBUTORS, CLAIMING PROFITAND GREED MOTIVATED THEM TOrtIGNORE LAWS REQUIRING THEM TOREPORT SUSPICIOUS ORDERS.THIS WHILE FLOODING COUNTYPHARMACIES WITH MILLIONS OFPILLS, WELL INrt EXCESS OFWHATEVER WOULD BE LEGITIMATEBE NEEDED.>> THE LITTLE GUY IS NOT GOINGTO BACrtK DOWN.IT IS A LITTLE COUNTY.NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE.BUT THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TOROLL OVER AND BE A VICTIrt THANK YOU FOR SHARING THATINFORMATION WITH ME.JESSICA: MEANTIME, THE STATE OFWEST VIRGINIA, WHICH CREATED A24 HOUR HOTLINE CONNECTINGADDICTS TO THE CLOSEST TREATMENTOPTIONS, IS TAKING PROPOSALS ONrtWHERE TO SPEND DOLLARS IT WONFROM A SIMILAR LAWSUIT>> I BURIED THREE OF ONE FAMILrtJESSICA: SHERIFF WEST, WHO HASLOST EXACT COUNT OF THE NUMBEROF FUNERALS OVER WHICH HE'rtPROVIDED, SAYS THE HELP IS NOTCOMING FAST ENOUGH.>> THEY KEEP TELLING ME THEY AREFORMING MORE COMMISSIONS.I SArtY, PEOPLE ARE DYING NOW.JESSICA: PRAYER, SOMETIMES IFEELS LIKE HIS ONLY OPTION.AND PUBLICLY CALLING OUT STATELAWMAKERS HE SAYS HAVE FAILEDHIS COUNTY.rt>> WHEN WE WERE THE BILLIODOLLAR COALFIELDS, EVERYONESTUCK BY FOR A HANDOUT.NOW THAT WE ARE IN DESPERANEED, WE ARE BEING LEFT OUTrtBECAUSE NO ONE IN CHARLESTONCARES.GOD FORGIVE THE STATE OF WESTVIRGINIA AND GOD SAVE THE COUNTYOF MCDOWELL.rtJESSICA: IN MCDOWELL COUNTY, FOR"MATTER OF FACT," I'M JESSICAGOME♪♪rtSOLEDAD: THANK YOU.WE INVITED THE PHARMACEUTICALCOMPANIES NAMED IN THE LAWSUITTO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SHOW, BrtUTTHEY DECLINED.WE RECEIVED STATEMENTS FROM SOMESAYING, IN GENERAL, THEY BELIEVETHE LAWSUITS ARE MISGUIDBECAUSE THEY ARE NOT THE ONESPRESCRIBING THE DRUGS.MANYrt PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRYARE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVEDONE AND STRUGGLING WITH THESTIGMA OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITHTHESE DEATHS.TONIGHT, WE'RE ASKING YOU rtHELP US BUILD A VIRTUAL WALL OFREMEMBRANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIAUSING #STATEOFADDICTION.SHARE A PICTURE, A VIDEO, rtSTORY, OR A TRIBUTE TO SOMEONEYOU WOULD LIKE TO REMEMBER FORTHEIR LIFE, NOT THEIR STRUGGLE.AND IF YOU HAVE A STORY OF HOPE,HE WrtOULD POST -- WE WOULD LIKEYOU TO POST THAT AS WELL.>> THERE'S SOMETHING REALLYWRONG WITH MY BEAUTIFUL21-YEAR-OLD SON.rtHE HAS DYING.SOLEDAD: WHAT DOES IrtT TAKE TOLOOSEN THE GRIP OF THESE DRUGSON OUR CHILDREN?AND A REALITY-BASED DISCUSSION-- HOW TO GET HELP FOR THOSE WHONEED IT.MEGAN:HE HAS DYING.SOLEDAD: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO AND AS PART OF THEDISCUSSION TONIGHT WE TAKE YOUTO THE JOURNEY OF OPIOIDS FROMMEXICO INTO THE U.S.rtA LOOK AT HOW THESE DRUGS GOT TOBE SO POPULAR AND HOW LITTLE ITrtSOLEDAD: WELCOME BACK TO"MATTER OF FACT: STATE OFADDICTION."IF YOU HAVE EVER WONDEREDrt IFADDICTION IS A CHOICE OR ACHANCE -- THERE'S PROOF IT CANBEGIN WITH A SINGLE PILL.RESEARCHERS FOR THE CDC FOUNDTHAT OF THE PEOPLE GIVEN AONE-DAY OPrtIOID PRESCRIPTION,ONLY A SINGLE DAY, 6% WILL GETHOOKED.THE NUMBER DOUBLES WHEN THEPRESCRIPTION IS FOR EIGHT DAYSOR MORE.A 30-DAY PRESCRIPTION PUSHES THErtRISK EVEN HIGHER, WITH 30% OFPATIENTS LIKELY BECOMINGADDICTED.SO HOW DO YOU EFFECTIVELY TREATPEOPLE ONCE THEY ARE DEPENDANT?rtIT'S A QUESTION THAT WILL HAUNTONE MOTHER FOREVER. ♪♪>> WHAT SPORTS DID HE PLAY?>> SNOWBOARDING ANDSKATEBOARDING.rtHE REALLY LIKED PUSHING HIMSELF.HE LIKED THE EXTREME.>> CHRIS' LOVE OF EXTREME SPORTSWOULD BE HIS DOWNFALrtL.HE TORE HIS MENISCUSSNOWBOARDING AT AGE 15, WHICHLED TO Art SERIES OF KNEESURGERIES AND A BATTLE WITHDEPRESSION.EACH TIME HE WAS GIVEN OPIOIDSTO KILL THE PAIN.A YEAR LATER, HIS MOTHER HADDISCOVERED HE HAD BEGUN TO USEHEROIN.rt>> HOW MANY TIMES WAS CHRIS INAND OUT OF REHAB?>> AT LEAST SIX TIMES.rt>> DESPERATE, HIS MOTHER FINALLYFOUND SOMETHING THAT SEEMED TOWORK BETTER THAN THE EXPENSIVEREHABILITATION PROGRAMS, ATREATMENT THATrt COULD BREAK CHRISFREE FROM HIS ADDICTION.SOLEDAD: SO HE WAS ON VIVITROLrtIN 2016.>> YES, AT THE BEGINNING OFMARCH.SOLEDAD: HOW LONG DID HE USE ITMARCH 2016.SUCCESSFULLY?>> FOR A YEAR.rtSOLEDAD: FOR A FULL YEAR,MEDICATION KEPT THE NOW21-YEAR-OLD OFF OF HEROIN.FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVEYEARS, THE MEDICATION HE WASrtTAKING REPRESSED HIS CRAVING FORDRUGS.>> THEY SIT ON THE MEDICINESHELVES, COLLECTING DUST.WE ARE UNABLE TO GET THEM TO THEPATIENT.SOrtLEDAD: DR. STEPHEN ROSS IS THEDIRECTOR OF ADDICTION PSYCHIATRYAT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL IN NEWYORK.>> SUBOXONE COMES IN A FILMVERSION THAT GOES ON YOURTONGUE.rtIT IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSETHERE'S A LOT OF GOODTREATMENTS, BUT THE VASTMAJORITY NEVER GET THEM.SOLEDAD: THE SURGEON GENERALESTIMATES THAT ONE IN 10SUBSTANCE ABUSERS ARE GETTINGrtANY TREATMENT AT ALL, AND JUSTONE IN FOUR OF THOSE ARE GETTINGTHESE LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS.>> YOU HAVE PSYCHOLOGISTS,rtPSYCHIATRISTS, REHAB SPECIALISTSIN SIX DIFFERENT PLACES.DID AT ANYrtTIME ANY OF THEM SAY,THERE'S EVIDENCE THAT TAKINGDRUGS WILL HELP IN KICKING THISADDICTION?>> ACTUALLY, THE DOCTOR AT HIS TIME ANY OF THEM SAY,rtLAST REHAB WAS THE ONE THAT SAIDWE SHOULD GET HIM ON VIVITROL.SOLEDAD: DR. HERD ISrt THE HEAD OFTHE CENTER FOR ADDICTIVEDISORDERS AT MOUNT SINAI MEDICALCENTER, AND STUDIES HOW DRUGSAFFECT THE BRAIN.>> HEROIN ABUSE IS A WHOLE BRAINDISORDER.rtTHERE ARE SPECIFIC CIRCUITS THATARE MORE IMPAIRED, BUT IT IS AWHOLE BRAIN DISORDER.>> THE OPIOID TREATMENTS, THEYINTERACT WITH OPIOID RECEPTORS,SO THE PERSON DOESN'T CRAVE ANDrtNEED THE HEROIN OR OTHERADDICTIVE DRUGS.SOLEDAD: AN ESTIMATED 40% OFTHOSE ON MEDICATION ASSISTEDrtTHERAPIES WILL STILL RELAPSE,BUT THE RATE OF RELAPSE INPROGRAMS WITHOUT DRUG THERAPYREACHES AS HIGH AS 90%.rt>> ABSTINENCE, TWELVE-STEPPROGRAMS, I THINK AA WORKS FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE, BUT FOR ArtTEENAGER, THEY ARE JUST NOTTHERE.SOLEDAD: A YEAR INTO HISTREATMENT, CHRIS MOVED TOFLORIDA FOR A NEW JOB AND AFRESH START.rtTHERE, HE FOUND FEW DOCTORSCERTIFIED TO ADMINISTER THEDRUG, AND JUST ONE ON HISINSURANCE.CHRIS MISSED HIS MONTHLY SHOT.>> WrtHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T GETYOUR SHOT OF VIVITROL?>> SOMEONE IS ON VIVITROL, THEYrtMISS THEIR SHOT, THE BRAINBECOMES SENSITIVE TO OPIATESAGAIN.THEY RELAPSE.THE MEMORY WAS TO USE HOWEVERMANY BAGS, AND THEY DIED.rt>> TOO SOON DEATH OF CHRIS.SOLEDAD: 20 DAYS AFTER MISSINGrtHIS MONTHLY DOSE, CHRIS RELAPSEDAND DIED OF AN APPARENTOVERDOSE.>> I HAVE TRIED SO MANY OTHERTHINGS, LIKE THE NORMAL ROUTE OFrtDOCTORS, HOSPITALS, THERAPIES,REHABS, AND NONE OF THEM SEEM TOBE THE RIGHT ROUTE.THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY WRONGrtWITH MY BEAUTIFUL 21-YEAR-OLDSON DYING.SOLEDAD: THE RESPONSIBILITY rtOFCONFRONTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMICFALLS IN PART ON LOCAL HEALTHCOMMISSIONERS.DR. LEANA WEN IS THE HEALTHrtCOMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY OFBALTIMORE.AN EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN, DR.WEN ISSUED A BLANKETPRESCRIPTION FOR NALOXONE, THEOPIOID ANTIDOTE, TO ALLRESIDENTS OF BALTIMORE.rtNICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US.THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.WHY A PRESCRIPTION FOR EVERYONErtFOR NALOXONE AND NARCAN?DR. WEN:I CAN SEE HOW SOMEONErtWALKING AND TALKING WITHIN.rtWE HAVE TRAINED OVER 2600PEOPLE.AS A RESULT, EVERYDAY RESIDENTSHAVE SAVED THE LIVES OF OVER1200 FELLOW RESIDENTS.rtSOLEDAD: SO THAT HIS SURVIVING,BUT IT IS NOT REALLY TREATMENT.ARE YOU APPROACHING IT FROM THEWRONG END OF THE SPECTRUM?DR. WEN:rt WE TREAT ADDICTION THESAME WAY WE TREAT ANY OTHERDISEASE.FOR EXAMPLE, HEART DISEASE.IT IS IMPORTANT TO FOCUS ONrtLONG-TERM TREATMENT.IDEALLY WE PREVENT SOMEONE FROMHAVING HEART DISEASE IN THEFIRST PLACE.IF SOMEONE IS rtHAVING A HEARTATTACK RIGHT NOW, IT IS OUR JOBTO SAVE THEIR LIFE RIGHT NOW.IF THEY DON'T HAVE NALOXONE, ITISrt NOT A CHANCE FOR A BETTERTOMORROW.SOLEDAD: PRESIDENT TRUMPDECLARED THE OPIOID WAS ANATIONAL CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY,BUT HE HAS NOT SIGNED THEPAPERWORK THAT WOULD SEND FUNDS.rtDR. WEN: WE DESPERATELY NEEDRESOURCES.WE ARE OUT OF MONEY FORNALOXONE.WE ARE HAVING TO RUSH IN THISrtLIFE-SAVING MEDICATION.I HAVE TO SUBSIDE -- I HAVE TODECIDE EVERY DAY WHO GETS IT ANDWHO DOES NOT.ACROSS THE COUNTRY ONLY ONE INrtPEOPLE WITH THE DISEASE OF10 ADDICTION CAN GET THE HELPTHEY NEED.IN THE ER, I HAVE TO TELL PEOPLETO WAIT WEEKS OR MONTHS.SOLEDAD:rt ARE USING ANY KIND OFPOSITIVE TREND?ONE IN 10 IS AN INSANE NUMBERWHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THESEPRICES.DR. WEN:rt WE WOULD NEVER FIND ITACCEPTABLE FOR ANY OTHERILLNESS.WE WILL NEVER SAY, ONLY ONE IN10 PATIENTS WITH CANCER CAN GETCHEMOTHERAPY.rtTHE CONVERSATION IS CHANGING.WHAT IS HOLDING US BACK ISSTIGMA.WE HAVE TO FIGHT STIGMA WITHEVIDENCE AND SCIENCE.SOLEDAD: THANK YOU SO MUrtCH FORJOINING ME.I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.STILL AHEAD, QUESTIONS FOR THEDEA.>>rt WE ARE INVESTIGATING, WHO ARETHEY GOING AFTER THIS?SOLEDAD: ARE THEY DOING ENOUGHTO STOP THE FLOW OF DRUGS INTOTHE COUNTRY?KEEGAN:rt THOSE ON THE FRONTLINESOF THE FIGHT ARE USUALLY FIRSTRESPONDERS.>> WHENEVER WE GIVE THISMEDICATION TO SOMEONE, WE AREESSENTIALLYrt TEMPORARILY STOPPINGTHE LIFE THREAT.KEEGAN: WHAT THEY ARE DOING TOCOMBAT OVERDOSES AND THE TOOLTHEY ARE USING TO BRING PEOPLEBACK TO LIFE.ALSO WHAT YOU CArtN DO TO HELPOUT.rtrtSOLEDAD: WE ARE TALKING ABOUTSOLUTIONS AND GUIDELINES IN THEMEDICAL COMMUNITY NECESSARY TOCOMBAT AMERICA'S OPIOIDADDICTION.WE WILL PICK UP THE CONVERrtSATIONIN A MOMENT.FIRST, A THANKS TO EVERYONEHELPING BUILD OUR WALL OFREMEMBRANCE ONLINE USINGTHE HASHTAG #STATEOFADDICTION.FOR EXAMPLE, TONYA BrtRYANT SHARESTHIS WITH US.WILLARD BRYANT JUNIOR, YOU WERETHE BEST LITTLE BROTHER AND SONTO OUR PARENTS WHO MISS YOU.rtALONG WITH A BEAUTIFUL,HILARIOUS, INTELLIGENT YOUNGWOMAN, OUR FAMILY WAS ROBBED,ANDrt HEROIN WAS THE THIEF.WE WANTYOU TO SHARE YOUR STORYOF YOUR LOVED ONE.USE #STATEOFADDICTION.SO, DID HEALTH OFFICIALS FAIL TOrtRECOGNIZE THE SCOPE OF OPIOIDADDICTION BEFORE IT BECAME ANEPIDEMIC?WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION NOWWITH DR. KELLY CLARK, PRESIDENTOF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OFrtADDICTION MEDICINE, AND DR.ANDREW KOLODNY, CO-DIRECTOR OFOPIOID POLICY RESEARCH AT THEHELLER SCHOOL AT BRANDEISUNIVERSITY.rtNICE TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.LET'S START WITH PATIENTS.WE HAVE SEEN IN OURrt REPORTINGMANY ARE STEERED AWAY FROMMEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENTS.IS THAT YOUREXPERIENCE,rt ANDPOINTED THAT THE?DR. CLrtARK: MANY DON'T OFFERMEDICATION WITH INPATIENTS ANDOFTEN DON'T ALLOW IT.SOME IS BASED ON STIGMA, SOME ISBASED ON THEIR HrtISTORICAL NEEDS.WE ARE CONTINUING TO DO THETHINGS THAT DON'T WORK IN THISCOUNTRY IN THAT OF THE THINGSTHAT DO WORK.MEGAN: THE QUErtSTION FOR MEALWAYS IS HOW DO HEALTHPROFESSIONALS ALWAYSNICE THISrtEPIDEMIC -- ALWAYS MISS THISEPIDEMIC?YESTERDAY I WAS IN THE ER WITH AFRIEND THAT HAD A CAB ACCIDENT.SO MANY TIMES SHE WArtS OFFEREDOPIOID, EVEN WHEN SHEEPIDEMIC -- ALWAYS MISS THISEPIDEMIC?YESTERDAY I WAS IN THE ER WITH ASAID HERPAIN WAS FIVE ON A SCALE OF ONETO 10.ALMOST AGGRESSIVELY.MAYBE THAT EXPLAINS WHY WE AREWHERE WE ARE.DR. KOLODNY: THAT IS ABSOLUTELYRIGHT.rtTHE REASON THE UNITED STATES ISEXPERIENCING A SEVERE EPIDEMICOF OPIOID ADDICTION IS BECAUSETHE MEDICAL COMMUNITY HAS BEENrtOVERPRESCRIBING OPIOID PAINMEDICINES.AS THE PAIN MEDICINE PRESCRIBINGWENT UP, IT LED TO PARALLELINCREASES IN OVERDOSErt DEATHS.THIS IS AN EPIDEMIC CAUSED BYTHE MEDICAL COMMUNITY WRITINGTOO MANY PRESCRIPTIONS.rtSOLEDAD: DOES THE MEDICALCOMMUNITY NOT REALIZE WHAT WASHAPPENING?DR. KOLODNY: THE REASON WESTARTED TO OVER PRESCRIBED ISTHAT WE WERE RESPONDING TO ArtBRILLIANT MULTIFACETED CAMPAIGNLAUNCHED BY THE MANUFACTURERS OFOPIOID PAIN MEDICINES.rtDOCTORS WEAKENING IN THE 1990'STHROUGH 2000.WE HEARD FROM EVERY DIRECTIONTHAT IF YOU ARE A COMPASSIONATECARINGrt DOCTOR, YOU WILLUNDERSTAND THAT OPIOIDS ARE THERIGHT WAY TO TREAT JUST ABOUTANY COMPLAINT OF PAIN.WE WERE TOLD THAT THE RISK OFADDICTION WAS LOW.rtOF COURSE THAT WASN'T TRUE.SOLEDAD: WHAT WORKS INPREVENTION?rtDR. CLARK: WE CONTINUE TO DOWHAT DOESN'T WORK.THE SCARED STRAIGHT EDUCATIONALrtPROGRAMS, "DRUGS WILL KILLYOU,""PLEASE DON'T DO DRUGS," SENDINGSOMEONE INTO SCHOOL TO TALKABOUT THE DANGERS.rtTHAT INCREASES THE CHANCESSOMEONE WILL USE DRUGS.SIMILARLY, GOING THROUGH DETOXAND REHABILITATION, WHEN PErtOPLEARE NOT LEANING ON MEDICATION,INCREASES THE CHANCE THAT THEYDIE IF THEY HADN'T GONE THROUGHTHESE PROGRAMS.WE ARE DOING WHAT WE KNOWDOESN'T WORK INSTEAD OF WHAT WEKNOWrt DOES WORK.THERE ARE COMMUNITY-BASEDRESILIENCY SCALE TRAINING.WE HAVE A WHOLE PLETHORA.rtWE HAVE A NUMBER OF THINGS WEKNOW WORK FOR PREVENTION.WE ARE NOT DOING DOES.WE KNOW THE MEDICATION IS THEMOST EFFECrtTIVE TREATMENTFOROPIOID ADDICTION.UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TOO MANYTREATMENT PROVIDERS THAT DON'TALLOW THE TREATMENT.SOLEDAD:rt IT IS INTERESTINGFEEDBACK YOU GET.SUDDENLY PEOPLE ARECOMPASSIONATE IN THINKING ABOUTHOW TO DEAL WITH THIS EPIDEMICWHEN THE BULK OF THE PrtEOPLE WHOARE VICTIMS ARE WHITE.AND THAT COMPASSION WAS NOTTHERE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THECRACK OR EARLIER HEROINrtEPIDEMIC.DR. KOLODNY: THAT IS TRUE.DURING OrtLAST ADDICTIONEPIDEMICS, THE HEROINE AND --WHAT WE GOT FROM POLICYMAKERSWAS THE LAST ADDICTIONMESSAGE THAT WE COULDPOTENTIALLY A REST OUR WAY OUTOF THIS PROBLEM.--rtARREST OUR WAY OUT OF THISPROBLEM.WE HAD THE WAR ON DRUGS WHICHLED TO MASS INCARCERATION.EVEN CONSERVATIVErt POLITICIANS,WHEN THEY TALK ABOUT THISPROBLEM, THEY BEGIN BY SAYING WECAN'T ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF IT.ARRWE DIDN'T HEAR IT BACK THEN.rtIT IS TOO BAD WE DIDN'T HEAR ITPREVIOUSLY.SOLEDAD: THANK YOU SO MUCH FORJOINING ME.STILL AHEAD, HE LOST HIS SON TOA DRUG OVERDOSE.rtWE NEED A FEDERAL PROSECUTORWITH A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE ONTHE CHALLENGES OF TAKING DOWNDEALERS.MEGAN: TONIGHT WE DISCUSSEDrt THEIMPACT OF OPIOIDS HAVE HAD HEREIN THE NATURAL.KEEGAN: HOW THE GOVERNOR ISTRYING TO COMBAT THE ISSUE.MEGAN: AND HOW THE COMMUNITY ISPARTICIPATING IN THErt FIGHT ANDWHERE LOVED ONES CAN GO TO GETHELP.rtLETHAL DOSES OF OPIODS. THE PHOTO IS FROM THE NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE DRUG LAB. rtKEEGAN: TAKE A LOOK AT THESEVIALS SHOWING LETHAL DOSES OFOPIOIDS.THE PHOTO IS FROM THE NEWHAMPSHIRE STATE DRUG LAB.MEGAN: IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY YOUCAN SEE rtTHE MOST DANGEROUS ISCARFENTANIL.THAT ONE GRAIN IS ENOUGH TOCAUSE DEATH.AND BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OFOPIOIDS, A TASK FORCE HAS BEENESTABLISHED HERE IN MISSISSIPPI.KEEGAN: 16 WAPT'S EARL ARMSrtCONTINUES OUR DISCUSSION WITHGOVERNOR PHIL BRYANT.EARL: GOVERNOR BRYANT SAYS 211PEOPLE IN MISSISSIPPI DIED OFOPIOID OVERDOSES IN 2016.rtHE SAYS HE BELIEVES OPIOID ABUSEIS AN ISSUE OF MENTAL HEALTH.THAT'S WHY HE SAYS ANOTHER PARTOF THE MOST RECENT EXECUTIVEORDER IS TO TRrtAIN LAWENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERSIN USING OUR CAN MEANT TOCOUNTER ANY POTENTIALLY FATALOVERDOSES.>> ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.SO ONCE WE IDENTIFY ITrt AS THAT,THEN WE CAN START TREATING IT INA PROPER MANNER.EARL: THE GOVERNOR ALSO SAYS BYINVOLVING THE BUREAU OFNARCOTICS, HIS EXECUTIVE ORDERSHELP TO PUNISH THOSE WHODISTRIBUTE OPIOIrtDS.GOV. BRYANT: WE ARE GOING TO BEUNRELENTING IN LOCATING THEM ANDPUNISHING THEM FOR THEIR CRIME.EARL:rt THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE ISWORKING CLOSELY WITH THE MEIDCALCOMMUNITY TO ENSURE THOSE WHOACTUALLY NEED THESE DRUGS GETTHE TREATMENT THEY NEED.EARL ARMS, 16 WAPT NEWS.rtKEEGAN: YOU HEARD EARL MENTIONFIRST RESPONDERS ARE NOW ARMEDWITH NALOXONE.IT'S A MEDICATION THAT BLOCKSTHE EFFECTS OF OPIOIDS ANDRErtVERSES AN OVERDOSE.16 WAPT MARCUS HUNTER EXPLAINS.>>rt WHENEVER WE GIVE THISMEDICATION TO SOMEBODY WE AREESSENTIALLY TEMPORARILY STOPPINGTHE LIFE THREAT.MARCUS: RYAN WILSON WITHAMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE SAYSEMT'S HAVE BEEN USING NALOXONEFOR NEARLY 30 rtYEARS.HE SAYS THE OVERDOSE REVERSALDRUG IS BECOMING MORE FAMILIAR.>> ESPECIALLY WITH THELEGISLATIVE CHANGES THAT IS NOWEXPANDING TO MOST VOLUNTEER FIRErtDEPARTMENTS, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, SO ITS USE IS CONTINUING TOGROW.MARCUS: IT'S GROWTH IS A GOODTHING ESPECIALLY WHEN rtIT'SHELPING TO SAVE LIVES.>>rtTHESE TEND TO ESPECIALLY BEYOUNG PEOPLE THAT ONCE WE CANGET THINGS LIKE CPR INITIATEDAND GET THE NALOXONE ON BOARD WECAN RESUSCITATE THESE PEOPLE.MARCUS: RYAN SAYS ON AVERAGE INHINDS COUNTY THEY HAVE TO GIVENALOXONE A LITTLE MORE THAN ONCErtA DAY FOR AN OPIOID OVERDOSE.>> AGAIN IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY.THE BIGGEST KEY TO THIS IS YOUNEED TO CALL 911.rtTHEY NEED TO BE TAKEN TO THEEMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.MARCUS: MARCUS HUNTER, 16 WAPTNEWS.KEEGAN: GrtROCERY STORES IN THEMETRO ARE ALSO HELPING TO FIGHTAGAINST OPIOID DEATHS.KROGER IS SELLING NALOXONE ATALL 29 OF ITS PHARMACIES INMISSISSIPPI.THE HOPE IS TO SAVErt LIVES.>> IF SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY HASA DRUG ADDICTION, SOONER ORLATER THEY ARE GOING TOOVERDOSE.THIS COULD LITERALLY SAVE THEIRLIFE.KEEGAN:rt BEFORE YOU CAN BUY THEMEDICATION YOU HAVE TO HAVE ACONSULTATION WITH A PHARMACIST.MEGAN: WHERE DID THE OPIOIDEPIDEMIC COME FROM?rtA WELL-KNOWN JOURNALISTEXPLORING THIS QUESTION.WE TAKE YOU ON THE JOURNEY FROMMEXICO TO THE U.S.HOWrt HEROIN BECAME THE START OFTHE OPIOID OUTBREAK.SOLEDAD: STILL AHEAD FROMWASHINGTON,rt POLICYMAKERS S TO 4:00 P.M.DAILYVISIT SOrtNIC BEFORE AND AFTER THEGAME.MEGAN: A WELL-KNOWN JOURNALISTAND AUrtTHOR, HIS BOOK "THE TALEOF THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC" TELLS OFHOW OPIOIDS EVOLVED IN THE U.S.SCOTT SIMMONS SAT DOWN WITH HIM.rtSCOTT: CHRONICLED THE RISE OFOPIOID AND HEROIN ADDICTION.HE SPENT 10 YEARS IN MEXICOSPEAKING OFrt THE TRADE, A DRUGBUSINESS HE SAID HE'S TO BEDOMINATED BY OTHER COUNTRIES.HE SAYSrtTHEY FLOURISH BECAUSE OFTHE SALES OF PILLS.>> $300 A DAY ON THE PILLS.THEY CAN'T AFFORD THAT.rtTHEY LOOK AROUND FOR SOMETHINGJUST AS PORTLAND OR MOST -- ASPOTENT OR MORE SO.THAT IS ALL MEXICANrt HEROINE NOW.SCOTT: HE'S IS OXYCODONE RELATEDTHE FOUNDATION FOR THE GROWINGrtADDICTION.>> THEY WERE MASSIVELY OVERUSED,MASSIVELY OVERPRESCRIBED, ANDTHEN SOLD TO PROMOTE THIS IDEArtAS VIRTUALLY NONADDICTIVE TOTREAT PAIN.DOCTORS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THEIRROLE.rtTHIS IS THE FIRST DRUG PROBLEMWE HAVE HAD IN THIS COUNTRY,DRUG EPIDEMIC OR SCOURGE, BUTDID NOT START WITH DRUGPEDDLERS.SCOTT: SCOTT SIMMONS,rt 16 WAPTNEWS.MEGAN: THIS BRINGS US TO OURROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION.WE ARE JOINED BY THE MISSISSIPPIBUREAU OF NARCOTICrtS.KEEGAN: HOW ARE OPIOIDSAFFECTING THE STATE OFMISSISSIPPI?>> YOU SAW IN THE OPENINGSEGMENT TONIGHT ABOUT DRUGOVERDOSE DEATHSrt IN OUR COUNTRYAND IN OTHER STATES.MISSISSIPPI IS NO DIFFERENT.LAST YEAR WE HAD OVERrt 211 DRUGOVERDOSE DEATHS.IN THE WEST -- IN THE LAST THREEYEARS 85% OF ALL DRUG OVERDOSEDEATHS WERE A TREATABLE TOrtOPIOIDS.-- ATTRIBUTABLE TO OPIOIDS.A SIMILAR SITUATION IN TERMS OFOVERPRESCRIBING.rtLAST YEAR ALONE EVERY LIVINGPERSON IN THE STATE OFMISSISSIPPI COULD HAVE HAD 70DOSAGE UNITS OF A PRESCRIPTIONPAINKILLER.rtTHAT IS OVER 201 UNITSBEINGDISPENSED TO THE CITIZENS OFMISSISSIPPI ONLY.MEGAN: ARE YOU SEErtING CHANGES ASFAR AS CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR?>> WE HAVE SEEN AN UPTICK INPHARMACY BURGLARY BECAUSE THEDEMAND IS SO HIGH.rtA LOT OF FOLKS ARE EMBEZZLINGTHESE DRUGS FROM CLINICS ANDPHARMACIES.WHAT THOSE DRUGS ARE DOING, WECALLrt THAT DIVERSION.THEY ARE GOING BACK ON THESTREET.NOT TO MENTION THE FACT THATrtWEHAVE TO DEAL WITH THESE KIND OFDRUGS ON THE STREET, BUT AREALSO DEALING WITH HEROINE ANDFENTANYL.WE HAD A 300% INCREASE IN HEROINrtCASES IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.rtWE HAVE INTERCEPTED ASUBSTANTIAL QUANTITY OF FENTANYLIN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS INMISSISSIPPI.KEEGAN: HOW ARE THOSE DRUGSGETTING ON THE STREETS?>> ONE OF TWOrt ROUTES.THE HEROIN IS PRIMARILY COMINGIN FROMrtMEXICO.THEY HAVE CARTELS WITHSUBSTANTIAL POPPY FIELDS.THEY ARE MANUFACTURING THEHEROIN IN MEXICO.USED TO BE THE PRIMARY PLACE HEWOULD GET IT FROM WAS AROUNDAFGHANISTAN.rt MEXICO.MEXICO HAS CORNERED THE TRADE ONTHE.MOST OF THE FENTANYL COMING INIS A SYNTHETIC FORM BEINGMANUFACTURED IN CHINA.rtIT IS CLANDESTINEMANUFACTURE,BUT BEING MAILED INTO OURCOUNTRY.MEGAN: HOW MUCH OF THESE DRUGSrtARE TRAFFICKED VERSUS WHAT YOUFIND IN YOUR MEDICINE CABINET?>> IT IS HARD TO QUANTIFY WHATYOU GET IN THAT BREAKDOWN.WHEN YOU'VE GOTrt 201 MILLIONPILLS OUT THERE LEGALLY BEINGDISPENSED, YOU HAVE ANOTHER185,000rt PILLS THAT WERE TAKEN INPHARMACY BURGLARIES, AND A LOOKAT THE QUANTITIES OF HEROIN ANDFENTANYL WE ARE SEIZING ON THESTREETS, IT IS PRETTYrt CLOSE.MEGAN: REALISTICALLY, WHAT CANPEOPLE DO TO STOP THIS?>> IN THE HOME ONE OF THE THINGSrtIS KEEP YOUR PERCEPTIONMEDICATIONS UNDER LOCK AND KEY.NOW WE ARE SEEING HOUSEBURGLARIES.IT USED TO BE GUNS AND JEWELRY,rtCASH.THEY ARE GOING AFTERPRESCRIPTION DRUGS.NOT ONLY THAT, BUT YOU HAVETEENAGERS THAT ARE APTrt TO TAKETHESE DRUGS OUT OF THE HOME.IF YOU HAVE UNUSED MEDICATION,GET RID OF IT.WE HAVE DROP BOXES IN EVERYDRIVER'S LICENSErt TESTING STATIONIN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.BRANDON POLICE DEPARTMENT HASONE.WE ARE WORKING RIGHT NrtOW TOCREATE MORE OF THOSE INAVAILABILITY AROUND THE STATE.MEGAN: WHEN IT COMES TO GETTINGHELP ORrt SOMEONE YOU KNOWNEEDSIT, WE ARE TRYING TO GET RID OFTHE STIGMA.>> WE ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO GrtET RIDOF THE STIGMA.ADDICTION IS A DISEASE.WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLEUNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS HELPAVAILABLE.rtNOT ONLY THAT, BUT THERE ISHOPE.MEGAN: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OFTHE MISSISSIPPI BUREAU OFNARCOTICS.THANK YOU FOR JOININGrt US, THEEXPERT IN OUR STATE REALLY.BEFORE WE GO TO BREAK WE WANT TOSHARE ONE MORE THING WITH YOUTONIGHT THAT IS IMPORTANT.THAT IS HOW rtYOU CAN GET HELP.KEEGAN: WE TALKED WITH THEDIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTFOR CAPSTONE TREATMENT CENTERWHO SAYS IT ISrt WORK, BUT THEWORK IS WORTH IT TO GET PASTADDICTION.>> THE WORST THING THAT CANHAPPEN IS WE DON'T GET OUR LrtOVEDONE THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.THERE IS ALWAYS HELP AND HOPEAVAILABLE.THE TAKEAWAY IS DON'T BE AFRAIDTO ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED.rtKEEGAN: THERE ARE SEVERAL PLACESYOU CAN REACH OUT FOR HELP WITHSUBSTANCE ABUSE.rtYOU WILL FIND THEM ALL ON OURWEBSITE, WWW.WAPT.COM ON THE"STATE OF ADDICTION" PAGE.SOLEDAD: NEXT, DRUG CARTELS ANDYOU WILL FINDrtDEALERS SEVERAL STEPS AHEAD OFLAW ENFORCEMENT.>> OUR LANDS ARE SEEING TWO ORTHREE NEW SUBSTANCES A MONTH.SOLEDAD: CAN WE GET AHEAD OF THEBAD GUYS?>>rt[KNOCKING]♪♪rt >> OFFICERS TRIED TO STOP AWOMAN FROM STARTING A HIGH-SPEEDCHASE.IT ENDED WITH THE OFFICERSBRINGING THE OVERDOSING DRIVERSBACK TO LIFE.>>rt FIRST RESPONDERS TREATED WITHNARCAN AND RUSHED THE PATIENT TOTHE HOSPITAL.AND THIS SCENE IS REPEATED OVERAND OVER EACH DAY.>> POLICE SAY THE SUrtSPECT MADEALL OF THE DEALS OUT OF HISHOUSE, WHERE HE LIVES WITH HISTHREE KIDS.>> THAT IS A LITTLE DISTURBING.SOLEDAD: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ArtRUSH TO SAVE LIVES AND CUT OFFAN INFLUX OF ILLICIT DRUGS.NEARLY ALL HEROIN IS SMUGGLEDINTO THE UNITED STATES.MOST SYNTHETIC DRUrtGS, LIKEFENTANYL, SHIPPED FROM CHINA.NOW, DEALERS MAKING FENTANYLHERE IN THE U.S.TAKE A LOOK AT THIS -- BOXESTHAT HOLD A KEY INGREDIENT TOMAKE FENTANYL SEIZED FROM ArtMASSACHUSETTS STORAGE UNIT THISSUMMER.110 POUNDS OF THE INGREDIENT,ENOUGH TO MAKE 19 MILLLIONFErtNTANYL TABLETS WORTH MORE THANHALF $1 BILLION.NIKOLE KILLION HAS OUR REPORTON THE STRUGGLE TO CUT OFF THESUPPLY.rt>> I FIRST GOT INVOLVED WHEN IWAS A FIRST YEAR MEMBER OFCONGRESS.A CONSTITUENT CAME TO SEE ME.HER SOrtN HAD JUST DIED OF ANOVERDOSE.NIKOLE: A DECADES LONG BATTLEAGAINST OPIOID ADDICTION ISPERSONALrt FOR OHIO SENATOR ROBPORTMAN.>> ALMOST EVERY WEEK, I FIND OUTABOUT SOMEBODY.NIKOLE: HIS STATE, NUMBER FOURIN THE NATION FOR DRUG OVERDOSErtDEATHS ACCORDING TO THE CENTERSFOR DISEASE CONTROL.>> OHIO IS HARDER HIT THAN MOSTSTATES.EVERY SINGLE CITY, EVERY SINGLESTATE IN THIS COUNTRrtY HAS BEENHIT.NIKOLE: ENTER THE DEA, THE DRUGENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, THECOMBAT FORCE IN THE NATION'S WARAGAINST DRUGS.WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?rt>> LOTS OF THINGS KEEP ME UP ATNIGHT.NIKOLE: CHUCK ROSENBERG IS THEACTING ADMINISTRATOR.>> WE HAVE TO ENFORCE THE LAW,WHICH MEANS STOPPING THE BIGGESTrtAND MOST DANGEROUS CARTELS ANDTHE BIGGEST AND MOST DANGEROUSSTREET GANGS.WE ALSO HAVE TO REGULATE OURPIECE OF THE INDUSTRY AND REDUCErtDEMAND.NIKOLE: BUT WITH ONLY 4600SPECIAL AGENTS, IT IS ACHALLENGE.COMPARE THAT NUMBER TO THErtNEARLY 36,000 UNIFORMED MEMBERSOF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICEDEPARTMENT.>> THE NOTION THAT THE DEA ALONErtIS GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP ALLOF THIS IS FANCIFUL.FANTASY.WE NEED HELP.rtNIKOLE: IN JULY, THE AGENCY SHUTDOWN TWO MAJOR BLACK-MARKETOPIOID SELLERS, BUT THEY KNOWNEW SOURCES WILL EMERGE.DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGHRESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOB?>> WE WILL SEE.rtNIKOLE: CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDENCHAIRS THE HOUSE ENERGY ANDCOMMERCE COMMITTEE.IT IS INVESTIGATING WHETHER THEAGENCY FAILED TO PROSECUTEQUESrtTIONABLE MANUFACTURERS,PHARMACIES, AND DOCTORS.>> WHO ARE THEY INVESTIGATING,HOW ARE THEY GOING AFTER THIS,HOW DO THEY HAVE THESE PILLrtMILLS?YOU HAVE PILL SOMETHING ON IN ACOMMUNITY.WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO GO AFTERSOMETHING LIKE THAT?rtNIKOLE: SENATOR PORTMAN ISPUSHING A BILL THAT REQUIRES THEPOSTAL SERVICE TO BETTER MONITOROVERSEAS PACKAGES, A MASSIVEPIPELINE FORrt POTENT SYNTHETICDRUGS.>> MOST OF THAT IS COMING FROMCHINA.WE KNOW THEY USE THE U.S. MAILSYSTEM.NIKOLE: HE'S HOPING FOR PASSAGErtBY YEAR-END DESPITE COMPETINGPRIORITIES LIKE DISASTER RELIEFAND TAX AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.>> THIS IS A TRUE EMERGENCY, BUTIT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN'T WALKrtAND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.NIKOLE: IN WASHINGTON, I'MNIKOLE KILLION.SOLEDAD: THE JOB OF PROSECUTINGDRUG OFFENDERS FALLS TO FEDERALrtPROSECUTORS LIKE BRUCE BRANDLER.HE IS THE U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THEMIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA.HE ALSO LOST HIS SON, ERIC, TO AHEROIN OVERDOSE 10 YEARS AGO.rtNICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US.MR. BRANDLER: THANK YOU FORHAVING ME.SOLEDAD:rt WHEN YOU LOOK AT THENUMBERS IT FEELS AS IF THE DA ISWILDLY OVERMATCHED IN THISFIGHT.ARE THEY?MR. BRANDLER:rt I DON'T THINK THEPICTURE IS AS BLEAK AS CHUCK HASPAINTED.HUNDREDS OF LAWrt ENFORCEMENTAGENTS FIGHTING THIS BATTLE INTHE TRENCHES.THEY DO AN EFFECTIVE JOB OFINCARCERATING DRUG DEALERS.OF COURSE WE COULD USE MORERESOURCErtS.WE COULD USE MORE PROSECUTORS.WE COULD USE MORE DEA AGENTS.WE ARE DOING AN EFFECTIVE JOB INAN COURSE RATING THE PEOPLE.rtSOLEDAD: THE PEOPLE YOU ARETESTING, THOSE PEOPLE THAT AREESSENTIALLY ADDICTS?MR. BRANDLER:rt THAT IS A REALMISPERCEPTION.THE PEOPLE WE ARE PROSECUTING INFEDERAL COURT ARE VIOLENTCRIMINALS THAT ARE RECIDIVISTSFOR THE MOST PARTrt THAT HAVE BEENCAUGHT PREVIOUSLY SELLING DRUGS,AND ARE SELLING HIGH VOLUMES OFDRUGS.THESE ARE NOT LOW-LEVEL ATTICSJUST SELLING TO SUPPORT THEIRrtOWN HABITS.SOLEDAD: CAN YOU ARREST YOUR WAYOUT OF A PROBLEM LIKE THIS HASBECOMErt?MR. BRANDLER: NO, WE RECOGNIZEWE CAN'T ARREST OUR WAY OUT OFTHE PROBLEM.THAT IS LIKE THE DEPARTMENT OFJUSTICE rtHAS A THREE-PARTSTRATEGY TO COMBAT THE OPIOIDEPIDEMIC.IT STARTS WITH PREVENTION,ENFORCEMENT, AND TREATMENT.ENFORCEMENT IS THE MOSTIMPORTANT PART.rtWE HAS PROSECUTORS NEED TOPROSECUTE AGGRESSIVELY EVERYONEWE CATCH.WE HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICYFOR EVERYONE CAUGHT DEALINGHEROINrt.SOLEDAD: YOUR SON DIED ABOUT 10YEARS AGO.IT WAS ONLY IN THE LAST YEAR ANDA HALF THAT HE STARTED TELLINGPEOPLE.HAS IT CHANGED ATrt ALL HOW YOUTHINK ABOUT PROSECUTION?MR. BRANDLER: I DON'T KNOW IFANYTHIN -- IF IrtT CHANGED HOW ITHINK ABOUT PROSECUTION.MANY ARE DOING WHAT I'M DOINGAND FIGHTING THIS BATTLE THEBEST THEY CAN.rtI CAME OUT PUBLIC WITH MYSITUATION BECAUSE I WANTED TORAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TAKEAWAY SOME OF THE STIGMA ANDSHAME THAT MIGHT BE ASSOCIATEDWITH OPIOIDrt ADDICTION.IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME AS AFEDERAL PROSECUTOR, IT CANHAPPEN TO ANYONE.SOLEDAD: GOOD MESSAGE TO SHARE.NICE TO HAVE YOU.rtAPPRECIATE IT.UP NEXT, WE CONTINUE OURCONVERSATIONS ABOUT FIGHTINGTHIS EPIDEMIC.CAN THrtSOLEDAD: WE'RE TALKING ABOUTWAYS TO RESPrtOND TO AMERICA'SOPIOID CRISIS, AND WE'LL PICK UPTHAT CONVERSATION IN A MOMENT.FIRST I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODYWHO IS HELPING US BUILD OURONLINE WALL OF REMEMBRANCE USIrtNG#STATEOFADDICTION.HERE'S A POST THAT WE WANT TOSHARE WITH YOU, A STORY OF HOPEFROM BOSTON.rtA FACE OF ADDICTION ANDRECOVERY."ADDICTION -- RECOVERY ISPOSSIBLE."EVrtERYONE ON OUR PROGRAM TONIGHTHAS BEEN TOUCHED IN SOME MANNERBY THE OPIOID CRISIS.WHAT SHOULD BE THE NATIONALRESPONSE?rtSENATOR RON JOHNSON, REPUBLICANCHAIRMAN OF THE HOMELANDSECURITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRSCOMMITTEE.HE LOST HIS NEPHEW TO OPIOIDABUSE.NICE TO HAVE YOU, SENATOR.rtWHAT COULD THE GOVERNMENT DOBETTER RIGHT NOW TO HELP PEOPLE?I'M SURE YOUrtHEAR FROM THEM OVERTHE STATE OF WISCONSIN.SEN. JOHNSON: $14 BILLION OF THEWAR ON DRUGS IS ON TrtREATMENT.THERE ARE THREE LINES.YOU HAVE SUPPLY, ADDICTION, ANDSUPPLY AND DEMAND.IT WOULD BE FAR BETTER IrtF WE CANREDUCE DEMAND.AS WE DO WITHTOBACCO, WHERE WEDRAMATICALLY REDUCED THE DEMANDFOR TOBACCO PRODUCTS.rtWE HAVE TO DO THE SAME WITHDRUGS.I WILL TAKE MULTI-DECADES.IT IS A CULTURAL SHIFT.THERE IS NOTHING GLAMOROUSrt ABOUTGETTING ADDICTED TO DRUGS ANDDYING IN SQUALOR AND DESTROYINGYOUR FAMILY'S LIFE.THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUTTHAT.rtSOLEDAD: THE PRESIDENT HAS NOTSIGNED -- HE SAID HE WANTED TOCALL IT A STATE OFrt EMERGENCY,BUT HE HAS TO SIGN OFF ONCONGRESS THAT DECLARATION.IS THERE ANY INDICATION THAT HEWON'T?SEN. JOHNSrtON: IT IS A STATE OFEMERGENCY.YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE APRESIDENT SIGN THAT.SOLEDAD: IT REALLY -- ITRELEASES FUNDSrt REALISTICALLY.SEN. JOHNSON: WE HAVE TO SPENDMONEY SMARTER.I'M TALKING ABOUT WHAT WORKS ANDWHAT DOESN'T WORK.LET'S DO MORE RESEARCH.rtIN BUSINESS IS THE APPROACH YOUUSE.WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE?YOU KEEP PUSHING THE ENVELOPE.rtIF YOU TRYING TO FIND BETTERTREATMENTS, BETTER MESSAGES TOREDUCE DEMAND.SOLEDAD: DO YOU THINK INSURANCECOMPANIES COULD DO MORE?rtOFTEN WE HEAR FROM PEOPLE THATARE OVERWHELMED BY THE FACT THATTHEY CAN'T GET THEIR KIDS INREHAB AND INSURANCE COVERAGE.OR INSURANCE ONLY COVERS CERTAINrtTHINGS SO THAT LOCKS THEIRABILITY TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY.SEN. JOHNSON: I THINK INSURANCECOMPANIES -- THEY ARErt MAKING --THEY ARE MONEYMAKINGORGANIZATIONS.I THINK THEY CAN PUSH THE BESTPRACTICES, HELP FUND RESEARCH.IT WOULD SAVE THEMrt MONEY, BUT DOFAR BETTER FOR THE AMERICANPUBLIC IF WE HAD TREATMENTS THATWORK.SOLEDAD: WHAT DO YOU TELL NOTJUST TO YOURrt CONSTITUENTS, BUTPEOPLE IN GENERAL?THE WALL OF REMEMBRANCE, SO MANYPEOPLE.rtAND THE VICTIMS ARE SO YOUNGACROSS THE BOARD.SEN. JOHNSON: OFTENTIMES WE HAVEMIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOLSTUDENTS VISIT US IN THE SENATEOFFICE, OR I GO TO THE SrtCHOOLS.EVER SINCE I HAVE GOTTENINVOLVED THERE IS NEVER A GROUPOF CHILDREN THAT I DON'T TALKTO.I ALrtWAYS SAY, DON'T DO DRUGS.A LOT OF TIMES YOU GET SNICKERS.I TELL THEM ABOUT MY NEPHEW.rtI TOLD THEM ABOUT THESE PARENTSWHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN RUINED.I SAY, IF YOU CARE ANYTHINGABOUT YOUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS ANDrt SIBLINGS, CARE ABOUTTHEIR LIVES.JUST DON'T DO DRUGS.SOLEDAD: DIFFICULT CONVERSATION.NICE TO HAVE YOU WITH USTONIGHT.rtTHANKS TO ALL OF YOU WHO JOINEDUS THIS EVENING TO HELP USCREATE A NATIONAL AGENDA TOCOMBAT THE OPIOID CRISIS.AS WErt CLOSE WE WANT TO TAKE SOMETIME TO REMEMBER MEMBERS OF OUROWN HEARST TELEVISION FAMILY WHOHAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO THISOPIOID EPIDEMIC.WE RECOGNIZE THErt LOSS SO MANY OFYOU AT HOME HAVE FACED BECAUSEWE HAVE EXPERIENCED ITOURSELVES.OUR COLLEAGUES AND THEIRrtOPENNESS, AND COURAGE, HASREALLY SERVED AS AN INSPIRATIONFOR OUR EFFORTS TONIGHT.WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW THrtATOUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THEM ANDWITH ALL OF YOU.FROM THE NEWSEUM IN WASHINGTON,D.C., I'M SOLEDAD O'BRIEN.♪♪rt

Attorneys general from 35 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are urging health insurers to review their policies for pain management treatment to spark higher use of alternatives to opioid prescriptions.

West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey on Monday announced the bipartisan coalition's efforts in the ongoing fight to end opioid addiction.

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Morrisey said in a news release that the coalition wants health insurers to avoid contributing unintentionally to the deadly problem.